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Cougars fall to Bears in season opener, optimism remains FORECAST
Harsh weather expected; Flooded streets expected Heavy rain is expected today and the weather could potentially produce damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Expect 1 to 3 inches of rain in most areas, but some areas may receive as many as 6 inches. If this forecast remains accurate, flooding of Houston streets is likely to occur. There is a chance that the Student Government Association Senate will postpone their meeting, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Follow the updated forecast online at www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx. — Cougar News Services
LECTURE
Award winning journalist to speak about religion Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Leonard Pitts will speak about religion and the 2012 presidential elections at 7 p.m. today at Congregation Emanu El. The event, which is sponsored by The Social Education Program and UH’s Texas Freedom Network, is free for students with a student ID. The location of Congregation Emanu El is 1500 Sunset Blvd. — Cougar News Services
SPB
‘Just Dance’ tournament in the Cougar Den on Tuesday The Student Program Board is hosting a “Just Dance” tournament from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the Cougar Den. Food will be provided, and the winner of the tournament will receive a trophy and the title of “dance master.” For more information, contact SPB at studentprogramboard@ uh.edu. — Cougar News Services
CORRECTIONS In Monday’s issue of The Daily Cougar in the article titled, “Former UH president dies” the age of Charles Bishop should be 90, not 80. In Tuesday’s issue of The Daily Cougar in the article titled, “Reinventing news” on page 3, the Cougar reported there was more than 150 people in attendance, there was actually more than 300 people in attendance.
January 25, 2012
Controversial film fails to impress critics
Issue 63, Volume 77
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Grade replacement policy in SGA Bill would allow students who retake courses to change the original score they received Audris Ponce
THE DAILY COUGAR In tonight’s meeting, the Student Government Association will discuss a grade replacement policy that would allow students to retake a failed class within their first 45 hours of their undergraduate education. The bill received criticism from some of the student senators, including political science and English senior Stephen Cronin who said it could devalue a UH degree. “If people have higher GPAs, then the value
of the degree goes down,” Cronin said. “I think it’s a bad policy, and I think it would be bad for UH students.” Honors College Senator Maggie McCartney said other schools, including UT and A&M, hold similar policies and adopting the bill would make UH students better candidates when they look for employment. “UT has a grade replacement policy, and if a student from there has a 3.5 GPA and the student from UH has a 3.0, the student from UT will get the position,” McCartney said. “It will make us more competitive and put us on equal footing.” Currently, students who retake a course will have both grades factor into their cumulative grade point average at the University. If enacted, the bill would allow students
SGA MEETING
What: SGA senate meeting When: 7:30 p.m. Where: UC Cougar Den On the Agenda: ! ! Grade replacement bill ! ! Student teacher stipend resolution ! ! University Testing Services fair pricing resolution ! ! Presidential appointments of various senators Warning: The meeting may be rescheduled due to harsh weather
to retake a failed class if they have fewer than 45 credit hours, including credit from other institutions. Students would only be allowed to GRADES continues on page 3
ADMINISTRATION
Khator, others speak at MLK discussion Cougar Voices hosts leaders, celebrates student diversity in event on campus Mohammed Haider
THE DAILY COUGAR Representatives of different religious organizations and administrators from several University departments celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s message at the University Center’s Houston Room on Tuesday. The representatives stressed how significant of a role faith and the equality of men played in King’s life. “Martin King was man of great faith,” Rev. Victor Thomas of St. James Episcopal Church said. “He not only inspired African Americans, but people of all groups to come together under God’s message.” Rabbi Kenny Weiss, executive director of Houston Hillel, spoke about how the Jewish community related with the African American community, pointing out that both had endured discrimination. “Regardless of how we understand suffering, Jews always nod their head in agreement when hearing the words ‘Dr. King said,’” he said. “
President Renu Khator addressed the gathering by talking about how the British gave her native country of India independence after 100 years of colonization. Khator said Mahatma Gandhi’s work in India during these times was a source of inspiration for King. “Today we celebrate the life of Dr. King, a disciple of Gandhi, who led the nation out of great despair. A person of vision, a person of hope, but most importantly a person of courage,” Khator said. With UH being the secondmost diverse university in the nation, the year would not be complete without the commemoration of King’s life and his message, said junior Ebony Wallace. “I think it’s important that we celebrate the diversity that Dr. King brings us and how it affects everyone,” Wallace said. “It’s important that we continue this so everyone feels welcome on this campus.” Student Government President Michael Harding has attended the event every year and said each year gets better. “Our student body is a symbol of what this school stands for — community amongst diversity. I feel coming to this school is like going to the school of the United Nations,” Harding said.
UH President Renu Khator compared Martin Luther King Jr. to Gandhi in the discussion Tuesday. | Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar According to a study by US News & World report, UH has one of the most diverse campuses in the United States based on the University’s 2010 to 2011 student
body, second only to Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey. For more photos, see page 11. news@thedailycougar.com